RTS Washington Faculty Podcast

Episode 178: Can We (and Should we) Harmonize Synoptic Texts (John 2)? Does Jesus cleanse the temple twice? How do we navigate seemingly conflicting accounts of the same event in the Bible? While harmonization may be a necessary step in understanding how the Bible provides "a window" into history, it can also distract us from seeing "the portrait" painted by each particular text. The faculty discu...

Faculty shoRTS: Jeremiah in Revelation (ft. Matthew Dudreck) If you want to understand Revelation, you need to be a student of the OT, and particularly the prophets. Matthew Dudreck, associate professor of NT at Reformation Bible College, walks us through how Jeremiah helps us interpret this amazing NT book. EPISODE LINKS More about RTS: rts.edu/campuses/washington-dc/ Donate: give2rtsdc.com/

Episode 178: Who were the Nephilim (Genesis 6)? Tough Texts! Episode 7 Genesis 6 tells us about the Nephilim, who are somehow associated with the "sons of God" marrying the "daughters of men." Who are all these individuals? Is this a reference to angelic beings? Or is there a more ordinary explanation for what's going on? What does this tell us about the historicity of Genesis as a whole? Join us...

Faculty shoRTS: Adamic Christology in Hebrews (ft. Tim Bertolet) Adam is never mentioned in Hebrews and yet the argument of the book makes copious use of an Adamic Christology (similar to that of Paul). Where do we see that emphases and how does it help us better understand the book? Tommy talks with Hebrews scholar Tim Bertolet about about the subject and his new book. EPISODE LINKS Tim's book: h...

Episode 177: Is there an Unforgivable Sin (Mark 3:28-29)? What does Jesus mean when he says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven? Is he speaking hyperbolically? What is the sin against the Spirit? Drs. Redd, Lee, Jeon, and Keene talk about this and related texts alongside the doctrines of perseverance and assurance. EPISODE LINKS More about RTS: rts.edu/campuses/washington-d...

Faculty shoRTS: Job and Redemptive History (ft. Stephen Coleman) Job (along with other OT wisdom literature) is often seen as a challenge for those committed to a redemptive-historical approach to Scripture. Can we read Job in its own original context while also seeing it as a part of God's progressive revelation of His kingdom, fulfilled in Christ? Dr. Stephen Coleman argues we can. EPISODE LINKS...

Episode 176. Isaiah 14 tells us about a mysterious figure who is judged and condemned. Is that Satan? If not, then where does the Bible tells us about Satan came to power? Did he fall from heaven? Dr. Scott Redd walks us through the OT material on the subject before we head into NT texts and a theological discussion on the matter.

Faculty shoRTS: Has the Definitive Dogmatic Theology Written (ft. Cameron Clausing) With the theological conferences well under way, Dr. Tommy Keene sits down with Dr. Carmeron Clausing to discuss Bavinck's view of the relationship between history and theology. Theology, Cam tells us, is absolute and true, but also constrained and contextualized by the historical moment. Cam's book: https://www.am...

Episode 175. We are pleased to bring you a special lecture by Dr. Mike Allen, Professor of Systematic Theology at RTS Orlando. Dr. Allen spoke to us about the issues and interests in contemporary theology and how they impact our thinking about the Bible and redemption.

Episode 174. This week we handle the difficult challenge of the Bible's seeming endorsement of slavery. Why does the OT have commands about slavery? Why do neither Paul nor Peter argue for the end of this unjust institution? We argue that they the theology, ethic, and redemptive movement of the Bible opposes all forms of oppression, including slavery.

Episode 173. In this special episode, pastor and scholar Cory Brock shares with us Bavinck's perspective on a Christian view of the sciences. Dr. Brock gave this talk as a part of RTS Washington's Lectures in Neo-Calvinism series. Christianity, according to Bavinck, provides a unique and solid foundation on which scientific criticism can function. Dr. Brock is one of the translators of the recentl...

Episode 172. We've covered miracles, but now it's time for the big one: creation. With some fear and trembling the professors talk through the various creation views. Was the world created in six 24-hour days, or are there other options for understanding Genesis 1-2? What are the hermeneutical and theological consequences of each view?

Episode 171. In our second episode of this series on tough things to believe in the Bible, we address the miracles. While many accept the miracles at face value, for most moderns the Bibles claims about the miraculous are a non-starter. How should we think about the miracles and why should we believe these things really happened?

Episode 170. We begin a new series with the Fall semester: tough texts. This series will look at "stumbling block" passages of Scripture--ones that are either difficult to interpret or difficult to believe. In this first episode we consider why that is. The doctrine of divine inspiration makes interpretation challenging, but also more rewarding.

Episode 169. We had the privilege of speaking with three experts on Bavinck and Neo-Calvinism this week: Drs. Cory Brock, Marinus de Jong, and our own Gray Sutanto. The topics were wonderfully wide-ranging, from the recent translation of Bavinck's *Christianity and Science* to the calling of pastor-scholar and the necessity of contextualization. Join us for this fascinating discussion.

Episode 168. The summer is over and we are glad to say that we have finished the race! In this episode we launch into the last of the fruits of the Spirit: self-control. What makes it "Spiritual?" To what extent is it defining all the other fruits? How does it connect with salvation in general, and the Christian Life in particular? Join us as we close out this challenging and convicting time consi...

Episode 167. Gentleness isn't a "technique" or "strategy" for winning people to the Gospel. It's not a pragmatic decision. Rather, it is the manner by which Jesus deals with his wayward children, and as such it should characterize our own lives. We discuss how to grow in gentleness without compromising the truth.

Episode 166. As we discuss faithfulness, the next fruit of the Spirit on our list, we begin with a translation issue: how does faith relate to faithfulness? What does faithfulness look like, not only with respect to God, but to one another? How can we cultivate it in our own lives and minisitries.

Episode 165. We continue our discussion of Paul's virtue list by discussing "kindness." What makes this a unique fruit, and how does it exemplify Christ? When should we be kind, and when should we stand for truth? What characterizes a kind person and how is that character helpful to the Kingdom of Christ?

Episode 164. Returning to the Fruits of the Spirit this week, the profs open with some interesting theological questions. Will patience be required in heaven? What is the essence of patience? But matters get very practical very quickly because, as Dr. Jeon notes, this fruit is exceptionally challenging in real life.

Episode 162. Dr. Bobby Jamieson joins our elite "two-timers club" of special guests to speak with us about a relatively recent "school" of Biblical Interpretation, TIS. After defining our terms Bobby talks with us about some of the distinctives of TIS and how a robust exegetical method incorporates history and theology into its process. You can find Bobby's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Biblic...

We welcome Dr. Lloyd Kim back to the podcast with a follow-up discussion on missions. As the head of Mission to the World he is able to provide a uniquely informative and encouraging take on what missions looks like in 2023. We get an update on the PCA's efforts to raise up the next generation of missionaries, and we also talk about what comes after the 10-40 window, the problems with colonialism,...

Episode 160. RTS Washington was pleased to host Dr. James Eglinton on our campus on May 11th. In this special lecture we are introduced to a groundbreaking work by J. H. Bavinck, recently translated by Dr. Eglinton, *Personality and Worldview*. In it we are given a new perspective on worldview, one which encourages us to upgrade from "the compass" to "the map." For the translation:"https://www.ama...

Episode 159. What is true biblical peace? Where does it come from and can we possess it in the tumult of everyday life? This week we consider what Paul means by "peace," it's eschatological foundations, and the implications for life in the church. For more about RTS Washington check out our website: rts.edu/campuses/washington-dc/

Episode 158. What considerations should impact your decision to recommend a book? What does an endorsement mean, why are they useful, and what pitfalls should we avoid? This week we discuss how endorsements work both in the academy and the pulpit. For more about RTS Washington check out our website: rts.edu/campuses/washington-dc/